Health unions representing 1.2 million NHS staff in England have responded to the 3% NHS pay rise announced by the government today (Wednesday), which accepts the recommendation made by the independent pay review body.
UNISON head of health and chair of the joint health unions Sara Gorton said: “Dedicated staff have been waiting far too long for a decent pay rise. That the government has moved from the insult of 1% shows ministers realise the damage that’s been done.
“But the memory of 1%, combined with lengthy delay, has done lasting damage to morale and the trust staff have in ministers. The government will have to do much more to win that back.
“Even though the Prime Minister has moved in the right direction, the increase will fall short of expectations.
“Pay is so important not just for staff but for the NHS too. After the nightmare of the past year, health workers need to know the government has their back and understands what they’ve been through.
“As staff ready themselves to deal with another wave, the government must speak up and show it values what they’ve done. Not just during the pandemic but in tackling the mammoth backlog too.
“Unions will now consult their members to determine their approach to the 3% pay award.”
Royal College of Nursing associate director for employment relations Tina Lamai said: “This pay award is bitterly disappointing.
“The government has spurned a golden opportunity to address several years of low pay and plummeting staff morale. This decision will have a devastating effect upon services provided to patients.”
Royal College of Midwives executive director for external affairs Jon Skewes said: “We are disappointed that this pay award is not on par with what NHS staff received in Scotland, but at least the limbo hard working staff in England were left in by our government has ended.
“The pay rise reflects the recommendation of the PRB, but it’s not enough not to solve long-standing recruitment and retention issues within the NHS. Sadly, many staff are already eyeing up the door and 3% will not be enough for them to stay.”
Notes to editors:
– The 14 NHS unions are: British Association of Occupational Therapists, British Dietetic Association, British Orthoptic Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Podiatry, Federation of Clinical Scientists, GMB, Managers in Partnership, Prison Officers Association, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Society of Radiographers, UNISON and Unite.
– Health workers were due a pay rise in April. Their previous three-year deal expired on 31 March. The government had proposed a 1% pay increase to the NHS pay review body, but has now accepted its recommendation. The delay means NHS staff are not likely to get a pay rise until September at the earliest.
Media contacts:
UNISON M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
RCN T: 0207 647 3633 E: mediateamhq@rcn.org.uk
RCM T: 0207 312 3456 E: media@rcm.org.uk
